How can we help?

What happens after I report domestic abuse to police?

If you call GMP to report Domestic Abuse, you can help us to help you by:

Providing as much detail as possible about what has happened to you

Making a note of the time and date and place the incident(s) took place

Providing the names and addresses of anyone who saw/heard the abuse or whom you told about what was happening to you.

Keeping anything that may confirm what happened to you e.g. mobile phone video or audio recording, threatening text messages or abusive mail.

What happens if I report domestic abuse to police?

Police officers will come to wherever the incident has taken place and will take whatever action is needed to make you safe.Officers will separate the parties involved so that you will have an opportunity to speak to them in confidence about what has happened and any previous incidents, without the offender being around to intimidate or threaten you.

If you call GMP your call will be recorded and may be used as evidence. Calls will be graded based on the urgency of the response required.

For people who do not speak English or for whom English is not their first language, officers can involve an independent interpreter. Where possible they will be the same sex as the victim and officers will ensure that the interpreter is not connected to the family of the victim or offender.

Greater Manchester Police as a priority should:

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of victims, their families and any other person present

Thorough investigation of all incidents

Police will be wearing body worn video

Officers will complete a risk assessment

We will listen to the victim's wishes

Actively pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice

Ensuring that appropriate information and advice is provided in relation to the support available from other agencies

Taking Appropriate Action

Officers are required to take all circumstances into consideration and will arrest offenders where appropriate to ensure the safety of you and any children involved. This will give you the time to speak to and get advice from Specialist Domestic Abuse Investigators.

Arrested offenders will be taken to a police station where the following will always be considered:

Interviewing the offender

Charging the offender with a criminal offence. This can include a range of criminal offences such as common assault, breach of the peace, grievous bodily harm, rape, sexual assault or harassment.

Remanding offender in custody until they appear in court.

Applying for bail conditions in order to restrict the activity of the offender, for example, the offender could be bailed on the condition that they do not return to your home before they appear in court. If the offender breaks these conditions, they can be re-arrested.

Gathering Evidence

Officers will collect evidence from all available sources. A statement from you explaining exactly what has happened is ideal. However, if you do not feel able to make a statement, officers who attend the scene can give evidence in court detailing the injuries or damage they have witnessed.

They can take digital photographs of injuries, damage or disturbance caused to your home to support the case. Crime Scene Investigators can be called in to recover evidence, such as fingerprints, photographs or use other forensic techniques.